Here's why, all over North America, women are turning vans into tiny rolling homes and living life on the open road.
All over North America, women are turning vans into tiny rolling homes and living life on the open road. Documenting their adventures with the hashtag #vanlife, these solo female travelers are claiming space and creating mobile communities.
There are plenty of other modern digital nomads like Jacobs on Instagram, where members of the #vanlife community broadcast their lives and connect with fans and each other. A search of the hashtag returns peak influencer fodder: gorgeous mountain backdrops, crystal clear tropical waters, and trailheads that scream possibility—often framed by the flung-open doors of a stylish van embellished with twinkly lights and succulents.
Most cook using propane on portable stoves and grills. Solar panels frequently supply electricity. Water tanks provide running water—some tanks are big enough to supply a toilet, a sink, or even a small shower. Those without large water tanks rely on gym memberships to get clean. Jacobs once got desperate enough for shower access that a Bumble date convinced her not to skip town by making the most romantic of vanlife gestures: offering use of his shower.
That small bit of routine has allowed Smith and her son the freedom to go where they please, and it’s helping Carter to get a more hands-on education—even when things go wrong. “Our van broke down on the Pacific Coast Highway outside Malibu and we were stranded for a couple of days,” says Smith, who took the unexpected stop in stride. “We were in the most beautiful place.
This opportunity that vanlife offers women—to discover their own wants, desires, and interests free of pressures to please others—is a big part of its appeal. Bryant, the former television reporter, puts it most succinctly: “Vanlife has given me an extreme clarity of who I am.” Vanlifers spend significant time alone, whether on long drives or camping deep within the desert, and that can lead to some serious introspection and personal growth.
It’s likely that female vanlifers weren’t sharing about their travels because of a widely held belief that women navigating the road on their own are in danger. In fact, the vanlifers in this story all reported that “Aren’t you scared?” is the question they get asked most. And Hughes concedes that there are times she’s felt frightened while traveling. “But there are also times I’ve been afraid at night in Seattle getting groceries,” she adds. Long’s take is particularly pragmatic.
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